Colette forgot how to breathe for a moment. She couldn't believe what her parents had just told her. Sweat started running down her forehead out of fear. She moved a hand up to remove the small drops and ran it through her long, curly, dark brown hair. She settled her ocean blue eyes on her father and saw nothing but seriousness in his eyes.
"You can't do that to me," she said.
"I can and I will. It's already been taken care of," he said.
"Father, please!" She pleaded.
"You will marry Baron Corbin and that's final," he said.
"I don't want to be his wife," she said.
"He comes from a good family and it's time you get married and serve a man," he said.
"His family burns people at the stake!" She yelled.
"They burn witches!" He yelled back. "I will not discuss this matter. You are a rude child for even voicing your opinion against my wishes. It takes a strong man to put some fear in you and Baron is the right man for the job."
She looked over at her mother with tears in her eyes but her mother nodded in agreement with her father.
"We need water. Go get it," her father said.
He turned away from her and sat down by the table. She grabbed the bucket and kept her head down as she walked through town to the well. She lowered the bucket to get water and heard someone step up behind her waiting for their turn. She knew who it was by his scent alone.
"Roman," she said lowly.
"Colette," he kept his voice low too. "I missed you. I wish I could kiss you right now in front of everyone."
"That would be a death sentence," she said.
"A man can dream," he said.
She pulled the bucket of water up again and turned to look at him. He saw the tears in her eyes and instantly got worried.
"What is it, my love?" He asked.
"They're gonna marry me off to Baron Corbin," she said.
"They can't do that. He's a cruel man. You'll never survive being his wife," he said.
"I don't have a choice. You know that," she said.
He licked his dry lips and looked around to make sure no one was watching them talk. It was a fine line to have a conversation when they were two unmarried people. Someone might start talking and accuse them of things. Things that would be true but no one was supposed to know about them.
"I love you," he said.
"And I love you," she said. "Forever and more."
"Will you come with me if I leave?" He asked.
"Yes," she answered. "A million times yes. I would go with you to the end of the earth."
"Meet me tonight at our spot," he said.
She nodded and walked away from him. It would be too dangerous to stay and talk for too long. She walked home and felt her heart stop beating when she found Baron in the house with her parents.
"There's my blushing bride," Baron smirked. "I have started making arrangements. We will wed this Saturday."
"That's so soon," she said.
"Do you have somewhere else to be?" He asked.
She shook her head no and looked down at the ground.
"Very well. Saturday it is," he said.
He walked over to her, placed two fingers under her chin, and lifted her head to look in her eyes.
"Blue eyes. So much water in those eyes. They say water is wild and untameable," he leaned closer. "I like a challenge. I'll have you tamed in no time."